Angels Fall

poach on married women. You see he's flirting with Juanita now, who he was banging like a drum over a few weeks last winter, until he shifted his sights to some snowbunnies who came around to ski."
    Joanie grabbed the huge mug of coffee that was always close at hand. "Boy's got charm to spare. I've never known any woman he's rolled off of to hold it against him when he buttons his jeans and strolls off."
    "And you're telling me this because you assume he'll be rolling off me some night?"
    "Just letting you know how it is."
    "Got it. And don't worry, I'm not looking for a man—temporarily or permanently. Especially one who uses his penis as a divining rod."
    Joanie let out a bark of laughter. "How's the pie?"
    "It's good. Really good. I never asked about the baking. Is that done on the premises, or do you buy from a local bakery?"
    "I do the baking."
    "Really?"
    "Now you're thinking I'm better at that than the grill. And you'd be right. How about you?"
    "Not my strong suit, but I can give you a hand when you need it."
    "I'll let you know." She flipped a pair of burgers, then dumped fries and beans on the plates with them. Joanie was tossing the pickles and tomatoes on the plates when Lo sauntered back into the kitchen.
    "William."
    "Ma." He bent, kissed the top of her head while Reece's stomach sank.
    Ma, she thought, and she'd made a crack about his penis.
    "Heard you were classing up the place." He sent Reece a slow, easy smile before he tipped back the beer he'd carried back with him. "Friends call me Lo."
    "Reece. Nice to meet you. I'll take those, Joanie." Reece grabbed the plates, took them to the line. And noted with annoyance that for the first time all night, there were no tickets waiting to be filled.
    "Shutting down the kitchen shortly,"Joanie told her. "You go ahead and clock out, head out. I got you on first shift tomorrow, so you be here by six, sharp."
    "All right. Sure." She started to untie her apron.
    "I'll drive you down to the hotel." Lo set his half-full beer aside. "Make sure you get there safe."
    "Oh, no. don't bother." Reece glanced toward his mother, hoping for some help in that quarter, but Joanie had already turned away to shut down the fryers. "It's not far. I'm fine, and I'd like a walk anyway."
    "Fine, I'll walk you. Got a coat'"
    Argue, she decided, and it was rude. Don't argue, and tread on thin ice. She'd have to tread. Without a word, she got her jean jacket. "I'll be here at six."
    She mumbled her goodbyes, started toward the door. She could feel the writer—Brody—staring holes in her back. Why was he still here anyway?
    Lo opened the door for her. then stepped out after her.
    "Cool tonight. Sure you're going to be warm enough?"
    "I'm fine. It feels good after the heat in the kitchen."
    "I bet it does. You're not letting my ma work you too hard now, are you?"
    "I like to work."
    "I bet you were busy tonight. Why don't I buy you a drink so you can unwind a little. And you can tell me the story of your life."
    "Thanks, but the story's not worth the price of a drink, and I've got the early shift tomorrow."
    "Supposed to be a pretty day." His voice was as lazy as his gait. "Why don't I pick you up when you get off? I'll show you around. No better guide in Angel's Fist, I can promise you. And I can bring references documenting I'm a gentleman."
    He had a great smile, she had to admit it, and a look in his eyes that was as seductive as a hand stroking along the skin.
    And he was the boss's son.
    "That's awfully nice of you, but since I only know a handful of people—and those less than a day—you could forge those references. I'd better pass, and take tomorrow to settle in a little."
    "Rain check, then."
    When he took her arm, she jumped, and his voice lowered to soothe as it she were a spooked horse. "Easy now, I'm just slowing you down.
    Can tell by the way you walk like you're late for an appointment you're from back East. Take a minute, look up there. That's a sight, isn't it?"
    Her heart was still beating too fast for comfort, but she looked up. And there, above the ragged shadows of the mountains, hung a full, white moon.
    Stars exploded around it, as it someone had loaded a shotgun with diamonds and blasted away. Their light turned the icing of snow on the peaks an eerie blue, and dashed the crevices and gullies into deep, rich shadow.
    This, she thought, was what she missed when she allowed nerves to hunch her over, to force her gaze to the ground. And though she might have